Improvement in car-couplings



W. CLENENG.

Car-Couplings,

910.153,74] PatentedAug.4,l87 4.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

WILLIAM CLENDENING, OF VAN WERT, OHIO.

IMPROVEMENT IN CAR-COUPLINGS.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 153,747, dated August 4, 1874; applicatn filed April 25, 1874.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, WILLIAM CLENDENING, of Van Wert, in the county of Van Wert and State of Ohio, have invented a new and Improved Oar-Coupling, of which the following is a specification:

In the accompanying drawing, Figure 1 represents a side view and vertical central section of my improved car-coupling; and Fig. 2, a sectional end view taken on the line c c, Fig. 1.

Similar letters of reference indicate corresponding parts.

The object of my invention is to produce an automatic car-coupling, which couples with car-platforms of different heights, is siniple, and not liable to get out of order by frost or other causes, and reduces the danger of accidents occnring so frequently with the common couplings.

The invention will first be fully described, and then pointed out in the claim.

In the drawing, A represents the draw-head, ofthe usual shape, with tapering mouth for the entering coupling-link. B is the top standard, which guides the coupling-pin C by perforated projections or shoulders, in the usual manner. The upper end of pinv C is connected, by chain or`rope in the customary manner, with suitable uncoupling mechanism on the platform, top, or side of the car. D is a top plate which slides on draw-head A in such a manner that it closes in its forward position the pin-hole of the same, while leaving it open in its backward position. Front and rear arms a of top plate D guide the same, and define also, by suitable shoulders coming in contact with the draw-head and standard, the extent of motion of the saine. The front arm a extends through a perforation at the side of the draw-head A to some distance beyond the same, coming thereby in contact with the solid side part of the approaching draw-head, and coupling easily with carplatforms of di'erent heights, as the arm may thereby not pass into the cavity of the drawhead, which is the case when the same projects at the center. A weighted elbow-lever or eccentric, E, is pivoted to the rear part of sliding plate D, and also to the side of standard B, so that it always tends to force plate D in forward position.

When the pin is raised ready for coupling, the same rests on the sliding top plate, and

- drops as soon as the approaching draw-head strikes its projecting arm, by which the plate is carried back and the entering-link coupled. On raising the pin the weight carries the top plate back into forward position, ready for coupling again. Y

Having thus described my invention, I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patentz The slide-plate D and pivoted eccentric E, in combination with the pin of a car-coupling, to operate as and for the purpose described.

WILLIAM OLENDENING. Witnesses:

JAMES CLARK, C. P. RIcHEY. 

